ODM youth aspirants led by Douglas Ogari (in suit) during a press conference in Kisii on November 29,2015. The youths want to be incorporated in County party leadership structures as elections in Kisii, Nyamira and Homabay counties kicks off. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party youths have discredited use of consensus in electing branch officials.

The youths said they believe in democratic values of free, fair and sober elections geared towards making the party more popular in the region.

Kisii ODM Youth League Chairman Caleb Simba yesterday said the best way to endear the party the electorate was to allow free elections, without interference from any quarters.

"Various candidates participating in the election exercise do not have party identification cards. I don't know if we are going for an election or a selection exercise in some hotels to handpick leaders in various positions. We can't tell who is a candidate and who is not," he said.

However, Dan Onundu, the returning officer for Kisii Central ward said, the Saturday elections were transparent, and nobody was allowed to manipulate the results. The exercise was marked with low turn out.

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Women opted for consensus to choose their leaders in the women league.

In Nyamira County, the exercise kicked off smoothly in more than 100 sub-locations with the party's national treasurer Timothy Bosire assuring free and fair elections.

He said the party would resolve all arising petitions in time.